Morocco: A Letter

Dear Lindsey and Rachel,

I’m so happy to tell you about Morocco!! We spent almost a month there; I like to say we got “stuck” in Morocco because we were captivated by their World Cup victories. Being in Morocco during a win was unlike anything we’ve experienced before. People would fill the streets, waving flags, singing songs, hugging their friends, and dancing. The cars would hoot their horns for hours after a win. They are the first African and Arab team to get to the final four in the entire history of the World Cup! Their pride and joy was evident in every city we visited. You’ll love talking and meeting people! If you can, brush up on some Arabic and French before you go!

Here are some recommendations:

Medinas are a significant part of Morocco; they are walled cities with narrow mazes inside. I promise; you will get lost in a medina at least once! The walkways are narrow, only two or three people wide. Be ready for motorbikes to sneak through the medina and sometimes, as crazy as it sounds, there will be cars driving the cobblestone paths.

1) The medina in Chefchouen is at the top of my list; it is a beautiful little walled town built on the side of a mountain. It is a medina like no other: the buildings are all a shade of blue. We were there during winter when it was icy cold and pouring rain, but it was still magical and the most romantic place we’ve travelled. We had the streets to ourselves and took so many blue photos.

2) Although Marrakech is slammed with tourists, it is an important part of the Morocco experience!! We booked our hostel near Jemaa el-Fna Square, which captures the energy in Marrakech – it’s like Times Square but Moroccan! There are snake charmers, dancers, monkeys, fruit juice stands, carts overflowing with cookies, pop up restaurants, lights, smells, sounds, and tourists! There’s a beautiful view of the famous Koutoubia mosque from there as well!

4) Eat all the Tajine you can. It’s a local dish slow cooked in a clay pot with the famous pointy lid. Consider it an old-fashioned crock pot, but you eat out of the pot itself! What makes Tajines delicious is that the meat is extra tender and the entire meal is piping hot until the last bite because the clay holds so much warmth! We had so many Tajines on the trip that were so different from one another. Some had vegetables with cinnamon, some had beef in tomato sauce with egg and cheese, some had chicken with lemon. Try them all! It’s customary to eat Tajine with a large piece of circular bread. Another signature dish is couscous; make sure you try it on a Friday, because that’s when they make it!

5) The main surprise of Morocco was the amount of spices. You’ll find spice shops everywhere. I bought some argan oil for my hair and skin! They will press it right in front of you; it’s quite a wonderful experience! We also bought honey, flax, pumpkin, and black seed. Mekael was in heaven!

6) We went to a hammam in Tangier. Locals go once a week. I’d recommend not doing it in Marrekesh since they tend to be adjusted for tourists. You’ll walk in to a steamy communal building with one room for the men and one for the women. You’ll be covered in a black soap, and then you will be scrubbed down with what can only be described as a Brillo pad. I saw layers of skin rolling away. At the end, you’ll be covered in oils, and your skin will be super soft!! It’s an experience…make sure you ask for a local one. Don’t forget to bring a towel!

7) The mint green tea is the staple in every cafe. They fill a tall clear glass with green tea leaves and fresh mint. Then, they pour the hot water with a flourish, moving the silver pot higher and higher as the water fills your cup. During the World Cup games, we sat shoulder to shoulder in coffee shops with fans, who were drinking their green tea and smoking cigarettes nervously and excitedly.

8) One thing I miss already is the fruit smoothie stands at every corner. The smoothies are delicious. Just make sure you ask for them sans sucre!

I tried to keep it short; there are so many more places and things I could talk about: our trip into the Sahara Desert on camels, Berber culture, the train rides, delicious Mechoui, & more! We also traveled to Tangier, Fes, Rabat, and Casablanca; let me know if you want any tips for those places specifically.

Have an amazing trip! Can’t wait to hear about it!

Love,

Katie & Miki